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De Beers shines light on budding jewellery designers

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A 'Special Notified Zone' is soon to be launched at Surat Diamond Bourse

21 december 2023

An SNZ, set to be the largest in India, will soon be launched at the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) for import and trading of rough diamonds.

“The GJEPC had played a significant role in the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who envisioned the establishment of SNZ at the World Diamond Conference held in 2014 in Delhi. We are planning to start SNZ at SDB in the coming days," said GJEPC Gujarat Regional Chairman Vijay Mangukiya. He added that GJEPC is waiting for government clearance to announce the SNZ.

Dinesh Navadiya said, “The SNZs, both in Surat and Mumbai, stand as a testament to India’s ascent as a global diamond trading hub. The upcoming SNZ at SDB will redefine industry standards, foster international collaboration and propel the Indian diamond industry to new heights.”

The SNZ at the Surat Diamond Bourse, set to be the largest in India, features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 15 fully-equipped cabins, a high-security monitoring room and 24/7 security system. Located at the address B 210, it spans an area of 4,500 square feet.

Since its inception in 2015, SNZ has garnered global attention by hosting major mining companies such as Alrosa, De Beers, Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamonds Corp and Okavango Diamond Company. These companies account for 85 per cent of total rough diamonds produced globally, and the SNZ has witnessed over 25,000 visitors showcasing more than 15 million carats of rough diamonds valued at over USD 3 billion.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished